Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar surpassed 3,000 passing yards on the season during Saturday’s win over Florida in The Swamp. He entered the game with 2,941 yards through the air and passed the 3K mark with a 19-yard completion to Chris Brazzell in the first quarter.
Aguilar is the fifth Tennessee player in history to achieve the single-season passing accomplishment, joining a list that includes Peyton Manning, Tyler Bray, Erik Ainge, and Hendon Hooker.
The senior quarterback’s 204-yard showing against the Gators moved him above Hooker on the list, who threw for 3,135 yards during the Vols’ illustrious 2022 season. Aguilar, entering the Vanderbilt game this Saturday, currently has 3,145 passing yards on the season. He’ll continue to expand his lead over Hooker’s number in the game against the Commodores, but he’ll likely rise over The Sheriff’s mark, too.
Aguilar needs just 143 passing yards on Saturday to pass Peyton Manning’s 1996 mark of 3,287 yards. That would put him at fourth place in Tennessee’s all-time single-season passing yards ranks.
Here’s what the list *currently* looks like, before the Vanderbilt game on Saturday:
Tennessee Football 3,000-Yard Passing Club
- Peyton Manning – 3,819 yards (1997)
- Tyler Bray – 3,612 yards (2012)
- Erik Ainge – 3,522 yards (2007)
- Peyton Manning – 3,287 yards (1996)
- Joey Aguilar – 3,145 yards (2025)
- Hendon Hooker – 3,135 yards (2022)
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Moving past Erik Ainge for third on the list during the regular season finale? That’s unlikely, but it’s certainly not impossible.
Aguilar would need 378 passing yards against the Commodores to move past Ainge on Saturday. He’s already beaten that number twice this season, with 393 yards against Oklahoma and 396 yards against Kentucky. He also hit 371 yards against Georgia early in the season. So while the odds aren’t necessarily with him, it is worth noting that Aguilar’s best games have come against SEC competition this season.
It’s also worth noting that single-season passing yard marks do include the postseason. Aguilar has obviously done enough to lead Tennessee to a bowl game, which will continue to add to his number for the season. There is a question of just how much Aguilar might play in that game, though. Perhaps there’s a chance that Tennessee wants to give a few reps to a younger quarterback, such as Jake Merklinger or George MacIntyre, as some final plays for the year before next season. But it’s also hard to think that any sort of bowl game scenario wouldn’t be a chance for Aguilar to continue adding to his season statistics.
In order to become Tennessee’s all-time single-season passing yards leader, Aguilar would have to throw for 675 yards in his final two games. Again, it’s unlikely, but when you look at 789 yards in back-to-back games against Kentucky and Oklahoma this season, it’s at least on the table.
It’s astounding to think about the impact that Aguilar has made in his lone season with the Vols, especially considering the unique path that took him to Knoxville during the late spring and early summer. While the playoffs might be out of the picture, Aguilar’s lone season – including a streak-breaking win in The Swamp against Florida – will be cherished by Tennessee fans for years to come.
It’ll only add to the legend if he can surpass a historic Peyton Manning passing mark in the process.
No. 20 Tennessee will take on No. 14 Vanderbilt this Saturday afternoon in Neyland Stadium for the regular-season finale.
One Response
Being a top 5 QB in just one season with the Vols and taking in to the fact the road to get here . I would think that alone could make him noted to be the best QB in Vols history. Look at all the facts Peyton by far the goat , but had a career here. Just think were would the Vols be if we had Joey after Hooker left. My guess is we would already have won the Natty. Maybe we can get a return season lets see if he is a one hit wonder or the real deal. Been a Vols fan all my life started with Majors so i been with good and i have seen the bad ” Dooley / Pruitt ” We have the coach we have the players ” GO BIG ORANGE”